Indoor/outdoor cleaning system

ABSTRACT

An indoor/outdoor cleaning system includes a portable, pressurized housing for containing cleaning fluids (water, chemicals and mixtures thereof). Multiple hoses connect the interior of the housing with a cleaning wand. The wand includes a handle, a hollow trunk portion and a cleaning head. The multiple hoses have outlets adjacent the cleaning head for feeding water, cleaning chemicals, or surface treating fluids thereto. The outlets open adjacent a cleaning pad, which pad is attached to the cleaning head via a mechanism that allows the pad to vibrate at sonic frequency. A variety of cleaning pad accessories (brush, sponge, sanding pad, buffing pad, etc.) can be optionally attached to the cleaning pad based on the type of surface to be cleaned or treated. A suction conduit, disposed in the cleaning head, functions to draw used fluids away from the surface for safe disposal thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/631,211, filed Nov. 29, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to cleaning systems. Morespecifically, the present invention is drawn to a cleaning orsurface-treating system in which pressurized water, water/chemicalmixtures or surface treating fluids are supplied to a sonic vibratingcleaning pad.

2. Description of the Related Art

Homeowners and small commercial establishments constantly search foraffordable, portable, efficient cleaning devices that are alsoversatile. Surfaces around the home or office such as floors, decks,walls, driveways carpets, upholstery, etc. require cleaning or treatingon a periodic basis. More often than not, the home or business ownerwill attempt to clean or treat these surfaces instead of hiringprofessional cleaners. The most popular cleaning devices, as shown inthe related art, rely on pressurized spray nozzles to accomplish theabove noted functions. While somewhat effective, the pressurized nozzleunits still leave a lot to be desired, especially when used to cleanheavy, layered grime and dirt from surfaces. The art would certainlywelcome a cleaning system that could handle a variety of cleaningsituations in an effective and efficient manner and yet have thesimplicity to be operated by almost anyone.

None of the inventions and patents identified in the accompanying IDS,taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the cleaningsystem as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instantinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The indoor/outdoor cleaning system of the present invention comprises aportable, pressurized housing for containing cleaning or treating fluids(water, chemicals and mixtures thereof). The housing is pressurized forreasons that will be explained below. Multiple hoses connect theinterior of the housing with a cleaning wand. The wand includes ahandle, a hollow trunk portion and a cleaning head. The multiple hoseshave outlets in the cleaning head for feeding water and cleaningchemicals thereto. The outlets open adjacent a cleaning pad, which padis attached to the cleaning head via a mechanism that allows the pad tovibrate at sonic frequency. An accessory (brush, sponge, sanding pad,buffing pad, etc.) is removably attached to the pad and will be selectedbased on the type of surface to be cleaned or treated. A suctionconduit, disposed in the cleaning head, functions to draw used fluidsaway from the surface for safe disposal thereof.

Accordingly, the invention presents a cleaning system, which system iscapable of effectively cleaning and/or treating almost any surface. Thesystem is relatively compact and portable, which permits the system tobe utilized by homeowners and small business establishments. Utilizationof sonic vibration technology permits the cleaning or treating fluids tobe applied to the desired surface area with minimum spillage and waste.

The invention provides for improved elements and arrangements thereoffor the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fullyeffective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

A clear understanding of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an indoor/outdoorcleaning system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cleaning wand of an indoor/outdoorcleaning system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial view showing a cleaning head of an indoor/outdoorcleaning system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an LCD screen of an indoor/outdoor cleaningsystem according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cleaning caddy of an indoor/outdoorcleaning system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a cleaning wandof an indoor/outdoor cleaning system according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the cleaning systemof the present invention is generally indicated at 10. System 10includes a cleaning wand 12 having a handle 14 attached at an upper endand a cleaning head 16 attached at a lower end. Pressurized housings 18,18 a respectively contain fluids to be supplied to cleaning head 16 viahoses 20 and 20 a. Power cord 22 extends from handle 14 for connectionto a source of electrical power E. A suction hose 24 is in fluidcommunication with cleaning head 16. As best seen in FIG. 2, handle 14is pivotally attached to wand 12 at 14 a. Wand 12 is pivotally attachedto cleaning head 16 at 12 a. A multi-function operating switch 26 and aLCD monitor 28 (both of whose functions are explained below) are mountedon handle 14.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, wand 12 and head 16 have hollow interiorsfor receiving hoses 20, 20 a and power cord 22. Hose 20 a has an outlet30 at base 16 a of cleaning head 16. A cleaning pad 34 is disposedadjacent base 16 a and is spaced therefrom. Pad 34 has a hollow interiorand a perforated base 34 a. Hose 20 has an outlet 32 that opens into theinterior of pad 34. An electrically powered motor 36 is positioned inhead 16 and is connected to power cord 22. Motor 36 functions to producevibratory motion in shaft 36 a, which shaft is connected to cleaning pad34. The motor is designed to produce vibratory motion in the range of40,000-150,000 strokes per minute. A replaceable accessory 38 isremovably mounted on pad 34. As noted above, accessory 38 will beselected based on the type of surface that is to be cleaned or treated.A suction port 40 is provided to remove the used fluids from the treatedsurfaces. Suction port 40 is connected to suction hose 24. LCD readoutdevice 28 (FIG. 4) is mounted on the handle and is programmed to monitorselected functions. The functions shown are merely examples of the manyfunctions that may be monitored.

To facilitate the cleaning or treating operation and to enhanceportability, a caddy 50 (FIG. 5) is provided to transport housings 52.Housings 52 are adapted to contain all fluids that are utilized in acleaning or treating process. The housings are provided with pumps 54for pressurizing the fluids and supplying said fluids to the wand viahoses 20, 20 a. A pump also induces suction in suction hose 24 forevacuating the used fluids and disposing of the same. A heating coil isutilized 56 to heat the cleaning or treating fluids if desired.

In a second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the wand 12 isself-contained in that a rechargeable battery 60 and pump 62 (both shownin phantom lines) are encased in wand 12. The battery provides power tomotor 36 while the pump extracts fluids from housing 18. It should alsobe noted that housing 18 can take on the form of a canister mounted tothe exterior of the wand.

In use, manipulation of multi-function switch 26 will activate a pump(s)for supplying fluids (for example cleaning fluid and water) throughhoses 18, 18 a. Switch 26 also functions to operate motor 36 to vibratethe cleaning pad. Cleaning fluid and water will exit the cleaning headwhereby the cleaning pad employs vibratory motion to clean the desiredsurface. A suction pump can be activated to withdraw the used fluidsaway from the surface for safe disposal.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. An indoor/outdoor cleaning system, comprising: a housing unit, saidhousing unit having an interior volume; plural hoses, each hose of saidplural hoses having a distal end and a proximate end, said distal endopening into said interior volume; a cleaning wand, said plural hosesattached to said cleaning wand; a cleaning head, said cleaning headattached to said cleaning wand; a cleaning pad, said cleaning paddisposed adjacent said cleaning head; and a vibration inducing motordisposed in said cleaning head and attached to said cleaning pad.
 2. Theindoor/outdoor cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein saidcleaning head has a base and wherein the proximate end of each hoseopens adjacent said base.